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Audit Reports

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Mar
16
2022
Report Number:
21-212-R22
Report Type:
Audit Reports
Category: Delivery / Mail Processing

Efficiency of Surface Transfer Centers in the Southern Region

Background

Surface Transfer Centers (STC) are contracted mail facilities that distribute, consolidate, dispatch, and transfer all mail classes within the surface network. They also divert mail volume from air to surface transportation and serve as a concentration point for consolidating mail from under-utilized surface trips. There are 13 STCs in the U.S. Postal Service network, four of which are in the Southern Region. These facilities are an integral part of the Postal Service’s plan to optimize its transportation by moving more mail on the surface network.

What We Did

Our objective was to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of Postal Service Southern Region STCs. We conducted site visits and relied on Postal Service data to evaluate performance at these facilities.

Report Recommendations

# Recommendation Status Value Initial Management Response USPS Proposed Resolution OIG Response Final Resolution
1

Reinforce the Mail Transport Equipment Labeler policy to ensure mail is dispatched with correct routing information.

Closed $0 Agree
2

Reinforce the requirements to ensure that transportation routing information is current, accurate, and complete, in transportation systems.

Closed $0 Agree
3

Reinforce the responsibility of Surface Transfer Center Coordinators to notify management responsible for Customer Supplier Agreements when mailers do not comply with their agreed upon mail separations.

Closed $0 Disagree
4

Develop and implement periodic reviews to ensure Administrative Officials follow and enforce the security screening policy and issuance of identification badges for all Highway Contract Route personnel.

Closed $0 Agree
5

Reiterate through formal communication to Surface Transfer Center personnel the requirement for accurately recording driver information in Surface Visibility and using the irregularity reporting process to notify Administrative Officials when Highway Contract Route drivers do not have Postal Service issued identification or badges.

Closed $0 Agree